Mamata’s political game is not a good sign for Indian democracy (‘Trivedi's rail fare hike triggers political storm’, March 15). After nine years, Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi very skilfully raised the fare from 2-30 paise per kilometre, according to the railway class, which was necessary to stop the ailing Indian Railways from further deterioration.

She has asked the Prime Minister to remove her party nominee Dinesh Trivedi from the post of Railway Minister. Trivedi had been maintaining that whatever he had done was in the interest of the railways and the country and that he was not worried about the loss of his job. As a regular commuter of long-distance trains, I am happy with Trivedi’s budget.

Keeping party interest aside, he gave a good budget. The rail budget reflected Trivedi’s duty towards the country and pulled the railways out of the ICU (for which some credit must go to Didi for her previous budget).

Mamata Banerjee’s decision clearly indicated that there is no place for good work or development possible in this country without sympathy of 'aam admi' and its vote bank politics.

BIDYUT KUMAR
CHATTERJEE, Faridabad

Decent TV viewing

In recent times, Indian television has made tremendous progress and there is a great variety of entertainment for all age groups. However, it has resulted in intense competition among TV channels who adopt dubious methods to promote their TRPs. The programmes dished out these days are difficult to watch with families. In some programmes like film and television awards, the comperes dish out double-meaning dialogues and other vulgar and cheap gimmicks. Some daily soaps have also crossed all limits of decency. It is time we raise our voice against this shameless display of obscenity in the name of entertainment.

Dr MANDEEP SINGH, Yamunanagar

Wake-up call

Both, the executive and the judiciary are responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in our country. There is a lack of will to act and provide the much-needed relief to litigants. The number of judicial vacancies is disappointing. It certainly adds to mounting pendency in court cases. Lack of funds to provide infrastructure is often cited as one of the reasons by the executive. When it comes to hike in salaries and perks to legislators, it is unanimously provided. RD Sharma’s article ‘Justice barred’ (March 13) deserves to be taken note of by the government and appropriate measures should be taken for rectify the situation in larger public interest.

VIKRAM BALI, Chandigarh

Cruel joke

Many families in the 21st century India are not in a position to fulfil their basic needs (News report,
‘Only 5% families in India own a four wheeler’, March 14). According to census, only 32% households have access to potable water. This shows where our country stands on development index.

Many shopping malls and luxury hotels are coming up in the urban areas but unfortunately there are no signs of basic development in some other areas. Poverty is a never-ending phenomenon it seems. Does anyone care? According to James Baldwin, "Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor".

The government needs to perform its duty well. Corruption needs to be erased. We need to select the right leaders and the Opposition must act as a watchdog to keep a check on the government.

RAMESHINDER SINGH
SANDHU, Amritsar

Good intelligence

The national capital was saved from a major terror strike with the arrest of two persons suspected to be terrorists associated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba. More shocking is the fact that both persons are Indians who undertook training in Pakistan. Pakistan claims that there are no terrorist training camps on their soil to strike against any country, including India. As pointed out in the editorial “No end to terror” (March 2) Pakistan continues to get local recruits from India for implementing its nefarious design.

Indian Muslims who get killed while working for terrorist organisations do not hesitate to work against their motherland. It is high time that the nation develops a strong intelligence network to work hard against such evil designs. NCTC would be a step in the right direction. All political parties must work in cohesion to operationalise it at the earliest.

SUBHASH C TANEJA, Rohtak

Ode to spring

The middle ‘Voila Spring’ (March 10) painted in print a riot of colours that the spring ushers in. Spring is a soothing season. The air is sweet with melody and music of birds. The chill of the punishing winter is gone, the warmth of the pleasing 'bahaar' is in. About 61 years ago, 'mo' ('mor', peacock in English) was the first word that I had lisped on seeing a peacock that used to perch daily atop our roof in the village house.

Spring is also a season of hope, optimism and dreams. The oft-quoted line of English poet PB Shelley from his 'Ode to the West Wind' says "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”